From the Wire … Cubs Claim RHP Zach Putnam Off Waivers from Rockies

The Cubs added another arm to the bullpen mix on Friday when they claimed right-handed pitcher Zach Putnamoff waivers from the Colorado Rockies. Putnam pitched in only two games for the Rockies last season after Colorado acquired him from Cleveland in January for Kevin Slowey.

The 25-year old righty (July 3, 1987) has pitched in only 10 big league games and is 1-1 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP (13 hits, nine strikeouts, a walk and one home run allowed in 9 1/3 innings). With the addition of Putnam, the Cubs 40-man rosterofficially stands at 33 players.

Zach Putnam is 19-12 with 26 saves in 171 minor league games with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. In 292 2/3 innings, the 6-foot-1, 225 pound right-hander struck out 270 batters and walked 94 while allowing 300 hits and 18 home runs. Putnam spent a majority of the 2012 campaign with Triple-A Colorado Springs and posted a 3-4 record in 49 games with 12 saves (4.15 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 49 strikeouts, 27 walks, five home runs in 60 2/3 innings).

The Indians selected Putnam in the fifth round of the 2008 draft out of the University of Michigan.